‘We’ll overcome this tragedy’ — Shettima visits Maiduguri amid flood disaster

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says the flood incident in Maiduguri is the “most catastrophic” in Borno state in the last three decades.

On Tuesday, many residents of Maiduguri were displaced by floods after the collapse of the Alau dam, which has been at full capacity for the past weeks.

The dam, which last collapsed on September 13, 1994, displaced about 400,000 residents.

President Bola Tinubu had directed the vice-president to visit the affected state while directing the immediate evacuation of residents to safety.

Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment of the incident in Maiduguri, the state capital, Shettima said the impacts of the floods exceeded estimation.

The vice-president commiserated with victims of the disaster and also relayed Tinubu’s sympathy.

He assured residents of the federal government’s determination to prioritise the welfare of the affected communities and other states affected by flooding.

“I am deeply devastated by the flood that has engulfed Maiduguri and its environs,” Shettina said.

“My heart goes out to the families who have tragically lost their homes and livelihoods in this calamity.

“Now, more than ever, we are compelled as a nation to come together to overcome the losses suffered, and we are committed to finding lasting solutions to this recurring issue.

“The collapse of the spillways unleashed a significant surge of water downstream, causing widespread flooding in the surrounding communities.

“As we speak, efforts are ongoing to evacuate and resettle residents in the affected areas, while ensuring the provision of food, shelter, and medical assistance until the situation stabilises.”

Shettima noted that the federal government had implemented comprehensive contingency plans and adopted proactive measures to mitigate potential impacts of flooding in the country.

He commended the Borno state government for its swift and effective response to the situation.

‘I also want to acknowledge the remarkable resilience of the good people of Maiduguri and surrounding areas, who have demonstrated extraordinary compassion by being their neighbours’ keepers,” he added.

“We will overcome this tragedy as long as our resolve remains strong, as long as we remain united, as long as we remain compassionate, and as long as we prioritise strategic actions to emerge from this even stronger than ever.”